Frequently asked questions 

What is Options for Knowledge?

Options for Knowledge is the “umbrella” term that is inclusive of all of the specialty schools/programs that students can apply to outside of their neighborhood school. These consist of elementary and high school magnet schools, magnet cluster schools, high school magnet programs, open enrollment schools, regional gifted centers, classical schools, academic centers, International Baccalaureate preparatory programs, and selective enrollment high schools. These specialty programs, and the application, selection, and notification process, are managed by the Office of Academic Enhancement.

How do I apply to Options for Knowledge schools and programs?

For most schools, you will complete a Standard application and send it directly to the school(s) in which you are interested. You may photocopy the application as needed; there is no limit to the number of schools to which you can apply. You must submit one standard application per child, per school. You may download this application from the Elementary or High School sections at cps.edu, or from cpsmagnet.org or cpsgifted.org. You may also call the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060 to receive an application by mail.

For regional gifted centers, classical schools, academic centers, and International Baccalaureate Preparatory Program schools, you must complete a Gifted and Enriched Academic Programs (GEAP) application and follow the directions on the application. Do not use the Standard application for these schools. Do not photocopy this application. Only one GEAP application is needed per child. If you are applying for more than one child, you may download additional applications from the Elementary or High School sections at cps.edu, or from cpsmagnet.org or cpsgifted.org, under Application Materials. You may also call the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060 to receive an application by mail.

For Selective Enrollment high schools and Military Academies, you must complete the application designed especially for these schools. You may obtain this application from the Selective Enrollment School or Military Academy, from any public elementary school, or by calling the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.

Other high schools may require separate applications that may only be obtained from the high school.

Does my child have to take a test to get into an Options for Knowledge school?

Most schools select students through a computerized lottery—no testing is required. However, there are schools designed for academically advanced students—regional gifted centers, classical schools, academic centers, International Baccalaureate preparatory programs, and selective enrollment high schools. For these schools, admission testing is required.

In addition, for academic centers, International Baccalaureate preparatory programs, and selective enrollment high schools, the selection process includes consideration of the student’s prior year’s standardized test scores, final grades, and attendance.

Schools that require testing do not conduct a computerized lottery.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply to these schools, and testing accommodations will be provided in accordance with the student’s IEP.

What is the difference between regional gifted centers and classical schools?

Both regional gifted centers and classical schools serve academically advanced students at the elementary school level. Both types of schools accelerate learning so that there is time for projects, term papers and group work that takes the learner deeper into the subject matter, and the curriculum for both types of schools includes a world language component.

Regional gifted centers place an emphasis on thinking, reasoning, problem solving and creativity. The test for regional gifted centers assesses the student’s critical thinking skills and reasoning abilities.

Classical schools place an emphasis on scholarship with a liberal arts focus. The test for classical schools assesses the student’s reading, language arts, and mathematics abilities.

How will I know if a school has received my child’s application?

If you are using a Standard application to apply for any grade level, or if you are using a GEAP application to apply to grades K-4, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your application. The postcard will be mailed back to you as notification that your application has been received. Your postcard should be returned within two weeks. If it is not, contact the school (for Standard applications) or the Office of Academic Enhancement (for GEAP applications) at (773) 553-2060.

For students applying to Gifted and Enriched Academic Programs (GEAP) schools for grades

5-8, or Selective Enrollment High Schools, it is recommended that parents request a receipt that indicates the time, date, and to whom the application was submitted at the home school.

When will I find out if my child has been accepted to an Options for Knowledge school?

Notification letters will be mailed according to the schedule below:

Results cannot be given to parents via telephone. If you do not receive a notification letter within two weeks of the designated date, contact the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.

Is transportation provided?

The following types of transportation are provided to elementary school students:

Gifted Program transportation service: This service is provided only to students attending Regional Gifted Centers. Students must live more than 1.5 miles from the school in order to receive transportation service (with the exception of Carnegie, which provides transportation to students living between 3900 South and 7500 South, from Lake Shore Drive to the city limits; Coonley, which provides transportation to students living between 900 North and the North city limits, and 3200 West to Lake Shore Drive; and South Loop, which provides transportation to students living between 900 North and 3900 South, from Lake Shore Drive to the city limits).

Classical School transportation service: This service is provided to students enrolled in one of the four Classical Schools. Transportation is provided to students who reside more than 1.5 miles from the school and within the boundaries identified below:

Magnet school transportation service: In most cases, school bus transportation is provided to students attending elementary magnet schools who live more than 1.5 miles but less than 6 miles from the school. For students attending Davis, Disney II, Kershaw, LaSalle II, and Mayer, the Bureau of Transportation Services will provide Chicago Transit Authority fare cards or travel reimbursements for parents and guardians of students who qualify for transportation.

Magnet cluster school transportation: Transportation is not provided for incoming students to magnet cluster schools.

Majority-to-minority transfer program transportation: Transportation is not provided for incoming students in most cases. Transportation is only provided if there is an existing bus route from the student’s neighborhood school to the transfer receiving school. If there is no existing bus route, Chicago Transit Authority fare cards will be provided to the student.

Academic Centers and International Baccalaureate Preparatory Programs: Transportation is provided to students who live more than 1.5 miles from the school. Students must get to a designated pick-up location; no bus route will require a student to ride the bus for more than 60 minutes each way.

Bus transportation is not generally provided for high school students. Transportation at the elementary and high school levels is provided to students with disabilities if the IEP or 504 Plan requires it. Transportation may also be provided to homeless students upon enrollment. Contact the Office of Specialized Services at (773) 553-1800 for more information.

Note: All transportation provisions and policies are subject to modification.

I applied to 20 Options for Knowledge schools, and my child wasn’t accept to any! How can this be?

Because of the limited number of spaces available, there is no guarantee that your child will be accepted to any school. Most available spaces are at the entry-level grades (kindergarten or first grade, and ninth grade). You are encouraged to apply to all of the schools in which you are interested. You are also encouraged to apply to more than just the magnet schools that are most familiar to you—we have many excellent magnet cluster schools and open enrollment schools throughout the city. Be sure to take the time to research all of the options available.

Do I have another chance to apply if my child isn’t accepted into to any Options for Knowledge schools?

Yes. If additional spaces are available after the fall application process has ended, an end-of-year application process is conducted in the spring. This applies to elementary magnet schools, magnet cluster schools, majority-to-minority transfer schools, and elementary open enrollment schools only. High schools are not included in the end-of-year application process.

Can students with disabilities apply to Magnet or Gifted Schools and Programs?

All students with disabilities are eligible to apply to magnet and gifted schools and programs. Appropriate services within these programs will be provided to meet individual needs. If a student is selected by lottery for a magnet school or program that is not accessible, transportation will be provided to a comparable magnet program at an accessible school.

Are students with disabilities required to meet entrance exam requirements for enrollment?

Students with disabilities are required to take entrance tests at schools that require them. Applicable test accommodations described in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be made available. To arrange test accommodations, call the Office of Specialized Services at (773) 553-1800. In addition to the entrance test results, schools will consider the following additional criteria: grades, attendance, relative strength of standardized test scores, portfolio review, and teacher/principal recommendations. Schools may also establish citywide special education programs for students with disabilities who will not be required to take entrance tests.

Can English Language Learners (ELL) apply to Magnet and Gifted Schools and Programs?

Yes. All ELLs are eligible to apply to magnet schools and programs. Additionally, there are several Regional Gifted Centers that are designed specifically for ELL students.

What is a computerized lottery?

Computerized lotteries are conducted to ensure that all children have an equal chance to be accepted at a school. The names of all applicants are entered into the computer, and the computer randomly selects students to fill the spaces in each grade.

There are three types of lotteries:

Sibling Lottery - conducted only for students who have brothers or sisters in the same household who already attend the school to which they are applying. Schools may accept up to 45 percent of all entering students through the sibling lottery.

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Proximity Lottery - conducted at magnet schools only. This lottery is for students who live within a 1.5 mile radius of elementary magnet schools. A magnet school may accept up to 30 percent of its population from students who live within these limits. Proximity lotteries will only be conducted at magnet schools that have not achieved the 30 percent maximum.

General Lottery - conducted for all students who are not included in the sibling or proximity lotteries. A percentage of students not selected through the lottery are placed on waiting lists, which will be maintained until June 2008. Most charter schools conduct lotteries for attendance. Check with your charter school to find out about the lottery procedures.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about getting into an Options for Knowledge school, or if I want more information about the programs?

For further information, call the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.